Overall, women who’ve had an abortion are 81% more likely to experience mental health problems. They also have:

• 59% increased risk of suicidal thoughts
• 61% increased risk of mood disorders
• 61% increased risk of social phobia
• 142% increased risk of alcohol dependence
• 261% increased risk of alcohol misuse
• 280% increased risk of having a substance abuse disorder
• 287% increased risk of drug dependence
• 313% increased risk of drug misuse

These statistics are from a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. This meta-analysis examined and combined the results of 22 peer-reviewed studies published between 1995 and 2009 (15 from the US, 7 from other countries) that included data on 877,181 women, of which 163,831 had experienced an abortion.

All 22 studies revealed higher rates of mental health problems associated with abortion for at least one symptom, and many for more than one symptom.